This book tells the story of two women in one family, Vera and Alice, with ties to Penn Station in New York City. It opens with Vera as a child watching the construction of Penn Station in 1900. After her mother dies, she cares for her father who suffers from the bends and associated mental health issues incurred during his work as a “sandhog,” the term for the workers that toiled underground to build the station. She is in love with her friend, Angelo, but he marries Pearl, a zealous suffragette. Vera and Pearl become close friends, but the relationship with Angelo becomes a barrier. At about the half-way point, the story shifts to Alice in the early 1940’s as the United States is being drawn into WWII. She is also involved in a love triangle, being pulled in two directions: one toward the mysterious and passionate Emmett and the other toward the more reliable William, a wealthy family connection.

The Way of Beauty is pitched as historical fiction, but it is really a romance. I enjoyed the portions of this narrative that focused on the suffragettes and the backstory of Penn Station. Unfortunately, the rest seems like a contemporary novel with modern sensibilities set in a historic time. I am not a romance reader, so the two love triangles were a bit much for me. The inner thoughts of Vera and Alice revolved around their feelings for the men in their lives. I thought this an odd choice for a book that purportedly tells the story of the early suffragette movement. The writing is not inspired, the dialogue is stilted, and the story gets progressively convoluted and melodramatic toward the end. I was interested enough to finish but, in the end, did not particularly enjoy it.
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What truly enchanted me when it came to THE WAY OF BEAUTY was Penn Station. Oh, how I wished it was still standing in all its glory. Alas, it had to give way for progress. Luckily, there are still images and like this book, imaginative stories that make Penn Station come to life again.

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The Way of Beauty spans both World War I and World War II (and beyond, in the Epilogue) as it explores the lives of mother and daughter, Vera and Alice.

This is one of those books that ticks all the boxes for me – really well-developed, strong and likable characters (you’ll find your heart breaking for Vera), a wonderful story, an incredibly well-researched look at an era and an interesting angle (it’s been some time since I’ve read anything about the Suffragettes). Alice is a strong, independent woman and her story – and personality – was so different from her mother’s, and yet in the end, they each faced a challenging situation or decision when it came to love. This truly is a wonderful story of love and family.

And speaking of characters – because honestly, Camille Di Maio creates some really amazing characters in her writing – Pearl Pilkington was also a very complex, fascinating character. (Camille, I would love to see a novel on the Suffragette movement from the perspective of women like Pearl, hint, hint.)

The Way of Beauty may just make my list of favorite books for 2018!

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of the book via NetGalley and the publisher (Ok, fine - stalked NetGalley until I saw it available). All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )

I have read and enjoyed all of Camille Di Maio's books and this one did not disappoint. I was fascinated with the historical background of Penn Station in NYC. This was something I was not that aware of. I felt I was there with the characters as their lives evolved over the years and their love for the station.
I found the characters well developed. I stayed up very late each night as I could not put this book down. I would highly recommend this book to friends and fans of historical fiction. ( )

I loved the beauty found in this book. The early women’s movement, the struggles of immigrants, the war, friendship, first love, enduring love and most of all family. This is not a story of our throw away society, it is a beautiful story of our society as it should be...take care of and maintain and always, love.

I so enjoyed every character, the beautifully described buildings and struggles of class and hardship. More than anything, this is a story about love. Ms. DiMaio’s writing is flawless, and detailed. You can feel the emotions jumping off the page.

Thanks to Ms. DiMaio and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. ( )